TRAVEL TOGETHER
Make this trip work for your group
Mountain rail, forest and sunrise form a shared outdoor trip.
- Adjust the route
- Make sunrise optional given early waking, mountain travel and a hotel change.
- Check your room
- Compare the bed layout and room occupancy for your group. For friends, confirm separate beds or rooms; for couples, check the booked room category and outlook.
An editorial match to this route, not an accessibility or age-suitability certification. Existing budgets use the group size stated in the article; recalculate for your party.
CITY TO CLOUDS
Chiayi overnight,
Alishan overnight.
On the day of arrival, you’ll spend time eating and resting in the old city of Chiayi, and the following day your trip will include a 65-minute stop at Fenqihu by Mountain Train No. 5. A night on the mountain makes sunrise possible without a drive up in the dark. The next morning’s forest walk is optional: breakfast, checkout and the return bus come first.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
What to keep, book and leave flexible
Keep the experience
Make the mountain railway and the overnight stay the core of this trip. The sacred-tree walk after sunrise is an extra if your energy and downhill connection allow.
Arrange first
Check seats on a train reaching Alishan alongside mountain accommodation. Ask separately whether dinner and an early transfer to the station are included.
Leave room to change
Confirm the Zhushan departure time the previous evening. A 19:30 flight is still no guarantee against mountain-road delays; an extra night on the main island after descending gives a more forgiving connection.
Route and bilingual copy reviewed on 10 September 2026. Prices remain planning estimates; follow the dated operator and property information linked below.
2 NIGHTS · 3 DAYS
Schedule to follow
From the airport, go down to Chiayi and take an evening walk through the old city center.
Wooden buildings at Hinoki Village in Chiayi, part of the arrival-day old-town walk.
Mk2010 / Wikimedia Commons · Resized · CC BY-SA 3.0- 01Arrive at Taoyuan Airport around 11:30, enter the country and secure baggage for 60–90 minutes.
- 0213:00 Airport MRT → A18 Taoyuan HSR Station approximately 15–20 minutes
- 0313:40 HSR Taoyuan → Chiayi approximately 70 minutes · General reserved seat NT$1,010
- 0415:10 HSR Chiayi Station → TRA Chiayi Station BRT/taxi approximately 25–35 minutes
- 0516:00 Hotel check-in → Hinoki Village/Beimen Station walk
- 0618:00 Smartfish Main Branch Dinner → Cultural Road Night Market
Breakfast in Chiayi, then the forest railway into the mountains
The railway village of Fenqihu. Check the stop duration before exploring.
- 0107:30 Turkey rice bowl breakfast at Liu Li Zhang Turkey Rice
- 0208:30 Hotel check-out → Move to TRA Chiayi Station
- 0310:00 Board Alishan Express No. 5 · Advance seat reservation recommended
- 0412:16 Arrival at Fenqihu → 65-minute stop for a railway bento lunch
- 05Departure from Fenqihu at 13:21 → Arrival at Alishan Station at 14:56
- 0615:20 Accommodation luggage storage/check-in → Zhaoping Station/Sister Pond short forest path
- 07After 16:30, confirm tomorrow’s Zhushan Line departure time. Arrange tickets in advance where available and prepare for the early start.
- 0817:30 Dinner at accommodation or Alishan restaurant · Closes early in mountainous areas
Sunrise, an optional forest walk, then the airport
Forest paths in Alishan. Split the morning between a post-sunrise walk and the journey down.
- 01Approximately 70–90 minutes before sunrise, Alishan Station → Zhushan Station Mountain Train · NT$150 one way
- 02After sunrise, use the confirmed return train to the Alishan accommodation area. Do not assume the walking route is a 30-minute shortcut; check distance, elevation and local advice.
- 03Have breakfast after returning from sunrise. The Sacred Tree trail is optional; skip it when tired and leave time for checkout and the confirmed bus.
- 0410:30 Check-out → Alishan Bus Terminal
- 05Around 11:10, Taiwan Tourist Shuttle No. 7329 → HSR Chiayi Station, about 2 hours and 30 minutes
- 0614:30 HSR Chiayi → Taoyuan approximately 70 minutes → Airport MRT transfer
- 07Arrival around 16:30 is a target only if connections work. Choose an international flight at 19:30 or later, allow at least three hours at the airport and check airline requirements. For an early flight, leave the mountain the previous day.
In Fenqihu, you should choose No. 5, where the train stops for a long time, so you can have time for packed lunches and old streets.
EAT ALONG THE ROUTE
In turkey rice bowl
Until evening on the mountain.
Prices and opening hours are approximate as of confirmation in September 2026. Check the linked official or local information for closures, sold out, and reservation conditions just before departure.
DAY 2 · Morning
Liu Li Zhang Turkey Rice
- Getting there
- Approximately 5–10 minutes by taxi from TRA Chiayi Station towards Beimen Station
- menu
- Turkey rice bowl, soft-boiled egg, ribs and clear soup
- budget
- Approximately NT$100–250 per person
- Opening hours
- Normally 07:30–14:30·16:30–18:30 · Closed on Mondays
If you want to eat before the mountain train departs, get there when it opens at 7:30. If the line is long, you’ll have to get out at 8:20 and go to the station.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 1 · Dinner
Smartfish
- Getting there
- South of Wenhua Road Night Market / Approximately 8 minutes by car from Hinoki Village
- menu
- Fish head hot pot, cabbage, tofu skin, fish cake and fried rice cake
- budget
- Approximately NT$300–650 per person
- Opening hours
- Normally 12:00–22:00 · Last order/waiting confirmation
The hotpot is good for two or more people to share. If you're alone, check to see if they sell single sets, and get in earlier than the evening peak before walking through the night market.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Lunch
Fenqihu railway lunch box
- Getting there
- Fenqihu Station, Old Street, Express No. 5, 65-minute stop section
- menu
- Lunch box topped with chicken legs or pork ribs, eggs, bamboo shoots, and vegetables
- budget
- Approximately NT$180–250 per unit
- Opening hours
- Sales during train arrival times, popular menu items may sell out early
Take advantage of the stopping time of train No. 5. If the line is long, buy a packed lunch first and leave at least 10 minutes to return to the platform.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Dinner
Alishan Gou Restaurant · Sunrise Yunqi Teahouse
- Getting there
- Check shuttle and walking routes within Alishan National Forest Recreation Area and accommodations
- menu
- Semi-buffet style hotpot with local vegetables and mushrooms
- budget
- Approximately NT$700–1,200 per person
- Opening hours
- Dinner 17:30–20:00 · Reservation recommended, check operating days
Restaurants on the mountain have few choices and close early. If there’s no hotel dinner, it’s safer to reserve a table before check-in.
Check the latest information ↗AFTER SUNRISE
After sunrise,
let your energy set the pace.
After sunrise, return for breakfast and decide whether there is comfortable time for a short Sacred Tree walk. Keep the confirmed downhill bus as the fixed point. If you are tired or the paths are wet, spend the morning resting instead.
In thick fog and rain, wooden decks become slippery. Even if you don't see the sunrise, you can't turn back train time, so bring waterproof outerwear and slip-resistant shoes.
BOOKING CHECK
The mountain train
Choose number 5.
9:00 AM No. 1 operates after Fenqihu and the route may vary. We’ve planned this trip around No. 5, which departs Chiayi at 10:00, stops at Fenqihu for 65 minutes, and arrives at Alishan at 14:56 according to the official timetable. Be sure to check again on the reservation date for notices of service suspensions or changes.
WHERE TO STAY
Two mountain accommodations,
Two cost-effective options in the city center.
Which stay suits your trip?
Alishan House is better for views, facilities, and forest access, and Shermuh Hotel is better for budget savings on the mountain. On the first day, the Orange Hotel has an advantage when it comes to restaurants and night markets, and the Mega Hotel has an advantage when it comes to riding the mountain train.
Alishan House
Check the shuttle stop inside the forest recreation area at 2,274m above sea level.
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$9,000–18,000+ per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast and many included plans
- Dinner
- Rising Hall Buffet · 1 night and 2 meals plan or add on site
- parking
- General vehicles must park at the tourist center and then take the shuttle. Direct access in front of the hotel is restricted.
- Advantages
- A forest setting suited to travelers who want time around the hotel and nearby trails. Views depend on room category and weather.
- Cons
- Rates are high, rooms fill up quickly during peak season, and shuttles from the station must be on time.
Alishan Shermuh Hotel
Zhongzheng Village accommodation area · confirm the walk or shuttle to Alishan Station
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$4,000–7,500 per night
- breakfast
- If breakfast is included, confirm the venue and serving time before booking the sunrise train
- Dinner
- No hotel dinner · Use Zhongzheng Village restaurant or reserved restaurant
- parking
- Shuttle transfer is standard after public parking at the recreation-area entrance.
- Advantages
- Access to the sunrise train and bus terminal is practical and the price is low among mountain accommodations.
- Cons
- The rooms are small, elevator and soundproofing conditions vary for each room, and there are no luxury facilities.
Orange Hotel Chiayi Cultural Branch
Walking distance to Wenhua Road Night Market · Approximately 12 minutes from TRA Chiayi Station
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$2,000–3,800 per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast · Check availability
- Dinner
- Dinner not available. Use Wenhua Road Night Market and nearby restaurants.
- parking
- Limited partnerships/nearby parking/prior inquiry required
- Advantages
- A convenient base for Wenhua Road Night Market and first-evening meals; check lounge and laundry access with the hotel.
- Cons
- Traveling by car is inconvenient as the basic rooms are small and mechanical and external parking is available.
Mega Hotel Chiayi
Approximately 3 minutes walk from TRA Chiayi Station · Convenient for mountain train departure
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$2,300–4,500 per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast · Check start time if taking an early train
- Dinner
- Hotel restaurant and bar available · Not included in basic room rate
- parking
- Limited free/affiliated parking, check first-come, first-served basis
- Advantages
- Its location near Chiayi Station keeps the walk to the forest railway short. Compare the size of the room category you book.
- Cons
- It takes about 15 minutes to walk to Wenhua Road Night Market. If you leave before breakfast, you may not be able to use the included benefits.
Rate criteria · Approximate range of 2 people per room per night searchable in September 2026. The final payment screen determines whether taxes, meals, and parking are included.
BUDGET GUIDE
Estimated cost per person
This is the cost per person for a two-person trip and excludes flights and shopping. The total price varies greatly depending on whether you choose Alishan House for 1 night and 2 meals.
GOOD
Advantages of this schedule
- Don't miss both Chiayi food and Alishan sunrise
- Take advantage of Fenqihu’s 65-minute stop without any additional travel.
- On the last day, descend by bus instead of train to secure more time choices.
CHECK
Things to know
- Mountain train seats and mountain accommodations may sell out early.
- Zhushan Line departure time will be announced after 16:30 the previous day.
- A late return flight is necessary considering rain, fog, and mountain road congestion.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Check again before departure.
Alishan Forest Railway/Main Line Timetable ↗Zhushan Line · Next day departure time notice ↗Alishan National Scenic Area · Buses and transportation ↗Taiwan high-speed rail · General fare table ↗Chiayi City Tourism Bureau · Tourism and Food ↗Times and prices are as of confirmation on September 3, 2026. Train, bus, and sunrise times are final based on the official announcement of the travel date.
English edition of our Korean guide. Times and prices retain the source review date; they are not live booking quotes. Check eligibility for visitor fares and plan international flights separately.